Colorado-based Boom Supersonic, an aviation startup, last week conducted a successful test flight of its XB-1 demonstrator aircraft, which has the potential to take a giant step toward the resumption of supersonic air travel. That was a momentous occasion for the development of Boom’s ambitious Overture project at the Mojave Air & Space Port in California, which focused on bringing commercial supersonic flight back into the skies.
Measuring 62.6 feet in length and 21 feet in wingspan, the XB-1 is powered by three General Electric J85-15 engines that collectively provide 12,300 pounds of thrust. Carbon fiber composites, aerodynamics digitally optimized, and an augmented reality vision system come together in the aircraft to form technologies integral to efficient and safe supersonic flight.
Their relationship with Flight Research, Inc. has been integral in conducting the test flights of XB-1. It provides critical flight test support and a T-38 Talon supersonic trainer aircraft to act as both a chase aircraft and for pilot proficiency training. In that regard, the partnership gave Boom access to FRI’s state-of-the-art facilities at the Mojave Air & Space Port, which included a custom-built flight test control room and an XB-1 simulator room.
Blake Scholl, Founder and CEO, of Boom Supersonic elaborated on the significance of the partnership: “Flight Research provides requisite equipment and superior facilities at the Mojave Air and Space Port for us to finalize and fly XB-1.” He pointed out the selection of the T-38 due to its similar flying characteristics and capacity to chase XB-1 through low-speed supersonic flight.
The first flight of the XB-1, piloted by chief test pilot Bill “Doc” Shoemaker, reached 7,120 feet and a top speed of 246 knots good for 283 mph. All test objectives were met during this initial flight, which included a preliminary evaluation of handling qualities and stability. Test Pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg, flying the T-38 chase aircraft monitored the performance of the XB-1.
The fact that the XB-1 has flown successfully is a testament to Boom’s relentless pursuit of supersonic technology. According to FRI’s senior vice president for Operations, Scott Glaser, “This is a great opportunity to work together with a very dynamic organization that challenges convention as to how people fly.”.
Long-term, Boom is trying to bring Overture into service as the world’s first supersonic commercial airliner since the Concorde retired two decades ago. It would seat between 64 and 80 passengers, cruise at Mach 1.7, and be powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel to make the aircraft both swift and efficient.
This growth comes as a growing network of top-tier suppliers joins the venture, and the order book extends to 130 orders and pre-orders from prominent airlines such as American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines. That manufacturing will be key for Boom’s Greensboro, NC “superfactory,” which is currently ahead of schedule for producing Overture.
While the XB-1 is a one-third-scale prototype for Overture, the very development of the prototype has already produced a great number of design and engineering cues for the full-sized airliner. As Scholl notes, the progress on the XB-1 is something that helps to create a record of execution, which is what helps open the capital vaults and bring the higher valuations that would be similarly expected of other private aerospace companies like SpaceX.
The path to commercial supersonic flight is not easy. Existing regulations against sonic booms ban supersonic flights over major land masses, allowing them only over ocean transits. But future technologies, like those being developed on NASA’s X-59, could alleviate these limitations.
After all, if Boom is to keep pushing the boundaries of aviation, a successful flight by XB-1 will go a long way toward mainstream supersonic travel again becoming a reality.